Title battle is between Eagles and the Mount
TABLE TENNIS
THE Premier Division of the Northumbria League is a two-horse race between leaders N.E.S.L.C. Eagles and The Mount.
The Mount side of Graeme and Anthony Barella and Anthony Ainley beat last year’s champions North East Chinese Association 9-1.
The Eagles’ team of Andrew Wilkinson, Eddie Smith and Steve Penman enjoyed an easy 10-0 win over bottom team Old England Jacks and with four matches to play are just two points ahead.
Prudhoe and District United Services Club’s squad of Mark O’Connor, Andrew Firth, Peter Stempczyk and Shirley Gelder have taken over at the top of Division One.
That was despite being held to a draw by Tyneside TTC, for whom Mark Kimberley was unbeaten as they beat Saint Columba’s B 7-3.
Lee Tinkler won all of his sets for the Saints.
In Division Two, Ouston B suffered a setback to their title hopes when Mount E’s John Russell, Charlie Mouzon and Mick Hope beat them 6-4 - despite Ken Richardson celebrating a hat-trick.
Cramlington young player Oliver Ho won two sets for the Reivers against Matfen Tribunes in Division Two.
He then claimed a hat-trick for his own team the Falcons in a 6-4 defeat by Saints in Division Three.
Both of the leading Division Four sides, Tyneside B and Ouston D, sealed victories over Cramlington sides the Magpies and the Knights.